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The stitching that unites the iconic "N" and "Y" on each Yankees cap also threads together a legacy that stretches back more than a century. Cemented by 27 World Series titles, 40 American League pennants, and a total of 43 alumni in the Baseball Hall of Fame, that legacy has been built on winning, resulting in, among other legends, a batting lineup forever nicknamed "Murderer's Row" and a regular Joe transformed into a joltin' hero.
From 1923 to 2008, the team called the original Yankee Stadium—the "House That Ruth Built"—home, making it a daunting task indeed to move 85 years of tradition into a new park without erasing the tracks of history or disturbing the scoreboard's mysterious hieroglyphics. Yet today, the Bronx breezes waft the scent of polyester pinstripes up to the 50,287 blue seats peppering a new facility—christened, appropriately enough, with a world championship in 2009. Even with its up-to-date amenities, including a mammoth 101-foot-wide LED screen towering above center field, the current Yankee Stadium stands as a reminder of the past—especially in Monument Park, where fans can soak up the club's storied saga up until 45 minutes prior to each game.

Swing batter, swing! For a great game of baseball, you'll head on over to the great facilities at Belmont Heights Little League in Tampa.
Parking is plentiful, so guests can feel free to bring their vehicles.

If you've always wanted to play baseball, now is your chance! The field at Yellow Jacket Little League in Tampa is waiting for you.
Parking is plentiful, so visitors can feel free to bring their vehicles.

Working toward a home-run? Practice your baseball skills at Town and Country Pony Baseball in Tampa and make that dream come true.
Parking is plentiful, so patrons can feel free to bring their vehicles.

Gather up your friends and baseball gear and head on over to Ostingers Baseball Academy in Lithia for an exciting day of baseball.
Parking is plentiful, so visitors can feel free to bring their vehicles.

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Baseball, even when played at its highest level, is a deceptively simple sport. “The name of the game is to score runs,” explained Chicago White Sox hitting coach Todd Steverson (right) toward the beginning of our interview, and I couldn’t help but think: If only it were that easy. So, I pressed Steverson to break down his top batting tips for someone who doesn’t step up to the plate for a living. Incidentally, he also offered some fascinating observations about baseball's best power hitters—the Greenbergs and the Gehrigs—and the special skills that help them swing for the fences. Focus on Your Plate Recognition—Not Your SwingIf you’ve ever been made fun of for your—let’s call it unorthodox—swing, Steverson has some good news for you. “At some point, everybody develops a swing that they’re going to have pretty much for the rest of their life,” but your swing alone won’t prevent you from blossoming into a decent slugger. “Recognition is one of the bigger things in our game—recognition of a strike or a ball,” Steverson explains. Knowing when to swing is exponentially more important than tweaking how you swing. “It’s all about being able to recognize the pitch and make a good decision on it,” so focus on that first and foremost.Don’t Step Away from the Strike ZoneSteverson managed in the minors for four years and conducted a mini camp for White Sox prospects in 2014, so he’s familiar with the shortfalls of young and inexperienced players. “A lot of young players tend to step away from the pitcher,” he laments. “You want to step straight or slightly across [the plate], because that’s where everything happens.” For example, if you’re right-handed and stepping toward the shortstop during your swinging motion, the ball will be too far away to get a good swing on it. “You’ve got to learn how to get square to the plate and pack the strike zone instead of stepping away from it.”Great Hands Always Beat Big MusclesWhen I asked Steverson what kind of workouts help with hitting home runs, I could almost hear him sigh. “Power is kind of a gift, and not everybody’s got it. There’s nothing really specific that improves your power—you are who you are.” But what, exactly, is this so-called “gift” that power hitters possess? “Exceptional hands. Hands and angles,” Steverson explains. “Power hitters sort of lean into the baseball and put a lot of torque into their swings.”Don’t Try to Hit a Home RunBefore you pour one out for your power-hitting career, Steverson has some advice. However far you can hit the ball, the trick is to make contact with it in the first place. “I would say that 99% of power hitters don’t swing for home runs,” he explains. “They know they have the ability to do it, but it’s all about executing the swing on the right pitch. When guys do try to hit home runs, it normally doesn’t work out for them.” Let’s return, for a moment, to that earlier tip about plate recognition. Just because you can’t swing for the fences, there’s nothing stopping you from having a great at-bat. Hitting a nice single or even taking a walk are crucial plays in baseball, and somebody has to master them. “If the guy doesn’t throw any strikes and you take a walk, you give everybody an opportunity to score some runs.” So stop focusing on the outfield scoreboard and start paying more attention to that weird mole on the pitcher’s throwing hand.Practice Doesn’t Make Perfect, But It HelpsBaseball might be the only sport in which you can fail more than half the time and still be considered a success. Take that to heart, and remember that enough repetition can help you see the play before it even happens. “People discount the eyes a lot,” Steverson says, “but the eyes are one of the biggest keys to this whole thing. They send a message to the brain that tells you to shut it down or to keep it going,” and their timing gets better with practice. And timing is everything. After all, you only have 0.4 seconds to make a decision.Photos: 2015 Ron Vesely/Chicago White Sox

Starting with the construction of Baltimore’s Camden Yards in the early 1990s, Major League Baseball stadiums began to take on more elements of the pastime’s past. Gone were the artificial outfields and multipurpose domes, replaced by classic touches such as red-brick walls and wooden bench seats. In recent years, however, the neighborhoods around some of these ballparks have evolved into trendy urban spaces complete with galleries, museums, boutiques, and breweries. Figuring out what to do before a baseball game has never been easier—if you are attending a game at one of these classic fields.Coors Field in Denver, COThe Neighborhood: Lower Downtown (or LoDo). Denver’s oldest neighborhood has revitalized itself in recent years, with breweries, art galleries, and nightclubs taking up residence in the area’s historic warehouses. Where to Eat Before the Game: Sure, the stadium has hot dogs, too, but you’ve never had a hot dog like the ones at Biker Jim’s Gourmet Dogs (2148 Larimer St.). Whether it’s made from rattlesnake or Alaskan reindeer, a sausage at Jim’s makes the ballpark fare seem like the minor leagues. Where to Drink After the Game: Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper founded Wynkoop Brewing Company (1634 18th St.) before he took office, and the brewery’s small-batch brews likely helped with his polling. Nearby, The 1up (1925 Blake St.) pairs drinks with retro video games. Read our Definitive Guide for the Arcade Bar before checking it out. What to Do with the Kids: The National Ballpark Museum (1940 Blake St.) houses bricks and seats from ballparks around the country, as well as colorful exhibits on Wrigley Field and Fenway Park.Fenway Park in Boston, MAThe Neighborhood: Fenway–Kenmore. Several neighborhoods in one, this historic district is rich in brownstones and benefits from the student life that spills over into Kenmore Square and east down Commonwealth Avenue. Where to Eat Before the Game: With five glorious variations on the tater tot platter—including one with poutine toppings!—The Lower Depths (476 Commonwealth Ave.) is the place to go. But parents take note: despite “Big Kid Plates” and build-your-own gourmet hot dogs, Lower Depths is strictly for grownups. Where to Drink After the Game: It’s hard to beat Boston Beer Works (61 Brookline Ave.), where the Bunker Hill Blueberry Ale—brewed and garnished with Maine blueberries—is always on tap. The landmark brewery is a stone’s pitch away from Fenway, attracting its fair share of students and tourists. What to Do with the Kids: Arrive early and take a guided tour of historic Fenway Park, where kids can check the massive Green Monster for any trolls living inside. The last tour of the day leaves hours before game time, but you can still catch a peek of the players warming up.Petco Park in San Diego, CAThe Neighborhood: East Village. The fastest-growing neighborhood in a city filled with them, the once-quiet enclave has transitioned from a community of artists to a hub of San Diegan nightlife. Where to Eat Before the Game: The owners of Grapes and Hops Deli (811 Market St.) seem to have confused San Diego’s East Village with New York’s. How else to explain a menu highlighted by towering pastrami and corned-beef sandwiches? Where to Drink After the Game: True to San Diego’s thriving craft-beer culture, Knotty Barrel (844 Market St.) is a newish gastropub with 20 craft brews on tap. Choose four from the sampler menu, and make sure at least one of them is brewed locally. What to Do with the Kids: East Village is renowned for being a bicycle-friendly neighborhood, so explore it on two wheels with a rental from The Bike Revolution (522 6th Ave.).Comerica Park in Detroit, MIThe Neighborhood: Downtown Detroit. Ground zero for Detroit’s continuing urban revitalization, this is where the Motor City’s theater, sports, and nightlife cultures collide. Where to Eat Before the Game: Bucharest Grill (2040 Park Ave.) may serve stuffed peppers and other staples of Romanian cuisine, but the casual lunch spot is more worldly than its name suggests. The hot dogs alone cover everywhere from Germany (the Berliner) to Michigan (the Hamtramck). Where to Drink After the Game: Sure, you could take a trip back to Bucharest or its next-door neighbor, The Park Bar (2040 Park Ave.), for coneys and Michigan-brewed craft beers. But if you’re attending a Friday or Saturday game, walk the extra half-mile to Cafe D’Mongo’s Speakeasy for classic cocktails, live music, and an overwhelming number of antiques. What to Do with the Kids: Arrive a few hours early and take a stroll down the scenic Detroit RiverFront. The RiverFront Conservancy even hosts an interactive kids’ program called Reading & Rhythm, during which youngsters can hear a story read by a local celebrity reader and ride on the Cullen Family Carousel.Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, MDThe Neighborhood: Inner Harbor. A short walk from Camden Yards and M&T Bank Stadium, this historic seaport is now the beating heart of tourism in Baltimore. Where to Eat Before the Game: Baltimore is indeed a Southern city, and nowhere is that more apparent than at Miss Shirley’s (750 E. Pratt St.), where grits and fried green tomatoes share the menu with a B’more specialty—jumbo lump crab cakes. Where to Drink After the Game: If you’re in Baltimore and you’re not drinking Natty Boh, it’s time to see the light. Sliders (504 Washington Blvd.) is a bastion of sanity in a harbor gone mad, with $3 tall boys of the sweet Natty nectar on game day. What to Do with the Kids: One of the world’s largest aquariums, the National Aquarium (501 E. Pratt St.) houses more than 17,000 sea creatures. Don’t miss the exhibit that depicts a typical Australian river gorge, home to seemingly every species except the country’s kayaking wallabies.Photos: Coors Field by Max and Dee Bernt. LoDo Clock Tower by Nan Palmero. Fenway Park, Van Ness St, Boston (493465) by Robert Linsdell. section 300, row 19, seat 2 (Petco Park) by Peyri Herrera. Comerica Park by Michael Kumm. Detroit Riverfront by HarshLight. Oriole Park at Camden Yards by Keith Allison. All Flickr photos under CC BY 2.0.

The Montgomery Biscuits recently won a title, but it’s not the kind of title that most baseball teams vie for. In January, the Biscuits were crowned champions of Sporting News’ Minor League nickname bracket, which featured such fierce competition as the Toledo Mudhens, the Batavia Muckdogs, and the Vermont Lake Monsters. It may not come with a trophy, but for Sherrie Myers of Professional Sports Marketing, it’s the stuff of dreams. Myers and her company own the Biscuits as well as the Lansing Lugnuts, but ownership in the Minor Leagues is a tricky thing. For one, your team’s Major League affiliate has complete control over the players on the roster. “You don’t know whether you’re going to win or lose,” Myers explains, “so you can’t even really promote that.” Instead, Myers and her Minor League counterparts have learned over the years to focus on what they can control: the team names, the mascots, and the general fan experience. Here’s how they do it.Step 1: Embrace the Weirdness“Around 20 years ago was when we knew we needed to start making it entertaining,” Myers remembers, and so she and her associates began to embrace the “fun, wild, wacky” side of the sport. They started by branding their Lansing team the “Lugnuts,” a name that pays homage to the city’s automotive history while also sounding kind of funny. Though Lugnuts seems relatively tame compared to some of the weirder team names out there today, it was nothing short of revolutionary at the time. “The idea was always that [the name] had to be something like the ‘Senators,’” Myers explains. “It had to be serious. It had to be tough. Lugnuts? Well, everybody’s going to make fun of you.” And that’s precisely what everyone did.Step 2: Convince the Community“Everybody thought it was atrocious,” Myers remembers with a laugh. “The newspaper articles were horrible. You literally wanted to go hide, because everybody was mocking it.” But she also noticed something curious: people were lining up around the corner to get their hands on merchandise. Even David Letterman got in on the fun, wearing a Lugnuts hat on his show and pronouncing it “the best name I’ve ever seen.” The Montgomery Biscuits were met with similar jeers when they debuted in 2004. By then, people had grown accustomed to Minor League Baseball’s more off-putting names, but nobody had seen anything quite like the Biscuits. “Montgomery is the heartbeat of Civil Rights and the Deep South and all of that stuff—there’s a million things we could have done,” Myers explains. In the end, “we wanted something that did represent the South but also represented diversity. We wanted something [everyone] could relate to.” And what’s more relatable than a warm, buttery biscuit?Step 3: Invent the MascotOf course, the naming isn’t even the hardest part. The real trick is coming up with a living, breathing mascot that fans can engage with. “The mascot is the face of the fun,” Myers explains, and it has to have its own identity to play off. “A lot of people would say, ‘Well, why don’t you just have a walking lugnut or a walking biscuit,’ but it doesn’t really work that way.” You might notice that a lot of Minor League mascots defy characterization. The Las Vegas 51s have an elephant-alien hybrid named Cosmo, and the Albuquerque Isotopes have an orange monster named Orbit, but what do they have in common? Both mascots are zoologically ambiguous—they’re creatures, rather than animals. According to Myers, this is by design. “It can’t be something too specific,” she says, “because then it’s not mystical. The kids don’t have a reason to be curious about it. I mean, look at Barney. What is Barney?” It’s no surprise that the mascots for both the Biscuits and the Lugnuts defy characterization. The Biscuits’ mascot, Big Mo, is something Myers describes as “kind of a biscuit-eating, ant-eating, kind of aardvarky creature.” The Lugnuts’ Big Lug is similarly ambiguous, a purple dinosaur with messy red hair and two sabre-like teeth that come across as more goofy than scary. In the Minor League, success all starts with the face of your team. And history seems to say that the weirder the face, the better. Photos courtesy of Professional Sports Marketing.